The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, stands in the centre of Istanbul's old city facing Hagia Sophia across a garden square. It was built for Sultan Ahmed I in the early seventeenth century by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa and is famous for its six minarets, its cascade of domes and the thousands of İznik tiles that give the interior its blue tone and its popular name. It is still a working mosque, and visitors are welcome outside prayer times, free of charge.
Why visit the Blue Mosque
From the outside, the mosque's domes and semi-domes step up in a pyramid towards the great central dome, a design that builds on the work of the great Ottoman architect Sinan, under whom Mehmed Ağa had trained. The large courtyard is as wide as the prayer hall itself and is a good place to pause and take in the scale of the building.
Inside, the light comes through many windows and falls on tiled walls decorated with tulips, carnations and other floral designs. Huge pillars, often called elephant feet, carry the central dome, and low-hanging chandeliers fill the space above the carpets. A major restoration in recent years has refreshed the interior and the tiles.
Getting to the Blue Mosque by tram and metro
The closest rail stop is Sultanahmet on the T1 tram line, which runs through the old city between Kabataş and Bağcılar. From the tram stop, the mosque is a few minutes' walk across the park, with Hagia Sophia on the other side. The T1 is the most practical way to reach the area from Eminönü, Karaköy or the Grand Bazaar.
If you are coming from further away on the metro, Sirkeci station on the Marmaray line is around 15 to 20 minutes' walk uphill, or you can change to the T1 tram there. You need an İstanbulkart or a valid ticket for the tram, which can be bought from machines at major stops.
Blue Mosque entry, prayer times and dress code
Entry is free. Visitors use a separate entrance from worshippers, usually on the side facing the Hippodrome, and there may be a queue at busy times. The mosque closes to tourists during the five daily prayers, for roughly an hour or so around each one, and for longer around the Friday midday prayer. Prayer times shift through the year, so check them on the day or ask locally. Opening arrangements can also change during Ramadan and religious holidays.
A modest dress code applies. Shoulders and knees should be covered, women are asked to cover their hair, and everyone removes their shoes before entering; bags for carrying shoes are usually provided. Head coverings and wraps are often available at the entrance if you need them. Inside, keep your voice down, avoid walking in front of people who are praying and stay behind the barriers in the visitor area.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Early morning, after the morning prayer, is usually the calmest time. Late afternoon, between prayers, is also good. Fridays around midday are best avoided because of the congregational prayer. A visit inside takes around 30 minutes, but allow an hour to see the courtyard and walk around the outside.
The mosque is particularly beautiful from the garden at dusk, when the domes and minarets are lit and the call to prayer echoes between it and Hagia Sophia.
Highlights
- The İznik tiles: the blue, green and white tiles that cover the lower walls and galleries.
- The six minarets: unusual for a mosque of its time, and best seen from the Hippodrome side.
- The courtyard: a large arcaded space with a central fountain.
- The mihrab and minbar: the prayer niche and pulpit, made of finely carved white marble.
Nearby around Sultanahmet
The Sultanahmet tram stop puts many of Istanbul's best-known sights within a few minutes' walk:
- Hagia Sophia: across the square, with its own visitor arrangements, so check before you go.
- The Hippodrome: the old Byzantine chariot-racing ground, with an Egyptian obelisk and the Serpent Column.
- Basilica Cistern: the Byzantine underground reservoir, a short walk north.
- Arasta Bazaar: a row of shops just behind the mosque.
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts: in the Ibrahim Pasha Palace on the Hippodrome, known for its carpets.
For more around this stop, see the Blue Mosque on Around the Metro, or browse the Istanbul metro map.